Our guide to Ironbridge – World Heritage Site on our doorstep

The Great Wall of China, the Great Barrier Reef, and Ironbridge Gorge! All have one thing in common. They are United Nations UNESCO world heritage sites, meaning they have global cultural, scientific or natural significance. Ironbridge Gorge really is significant on a global basis, UNESCO regards it important to the collective interests of humanity!

It is now Shropshire’s main tourist attraction, a few miles from Telford – it is marketed as the Birthplace of the Industrial Revolution because over 200 years ago Abraham Darby perfected the skill of smelting iron ore with coke and limestone in Coalbrookdale, iron could now be produced cheaply at an industrial scale. The area had coal, Iron Ore, limestone and a river for transport , so industrialists built furnaces all along the valley – it became the black country from the dirt and smoke. Even today there is still a power station just outside Ironbridge village.

Ironbridge Museum

In truth the industrial revolution developed in multiple places, with many different technological advancements, but the bridge the first to have been built by fabricated iron became a symbol which represents of the dawn of the industrial age.

Ironbridge village is now beautiful, sitting in narrow scenic valley with the river Severn flowing through. You can wander over the Iron Bridge – which gave the village its name, visit the cafes, gift shops and pubs. As well as the bridge, the area of Ironbridge gorge has 10 museums, there is really too much to do in one day. Rather than buy a ticket for each museum, a passport ticket costs £25 or £20 for over 60’s, allowing access to all museums and is valid for 12 months from purchase, so multiple visits is a must.

Driving to Ironbridge from Daisy Bank takes approximately 45 minutes going via Shrewsbury and the M54. But a slightly longer but far more beautiful route takes you over the Wenlock edge. Whats’s On Ironbridge brochures are available in the tourist information hut, please ask, Nicky, Mark or Ian if you need help with directions.